Cap With Aligned Illumination Device

ABSTRACT

A cap includes forward-looking illumination in the form of light beam emitted from at least one elongated flashlight of generally-cylindrical shape mounted to the visor of the cap. A clip includes adjacent semicircular and slot regions for holding the flashlight and engaging the visor respectively. The clip includes outwardly-displaceable free edges of the semicircular and slot regions for facilitating the ready installation of the flashlight and the mounting of the flashlight to the visor. Each flashlight is of the elongated type and arranged by means of an associated clip so that the light emitting end is remote from the skull-covering portion of the cap whereby light is projected along the field of view of the wearer.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to headgear. More particularly, thisinvention pertains to headgear that is not only protective anddecorative but includes an illuminated viewing function.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The popular “baseball cap” is a generic term for a (generally fabric)headgear that includes a cover for a substantial upper portion of one'sskull and a protruding visor that is joined to the lower edge of theskull cover. Many varieties of this work and recreational item areincluded almost universally in wardrobes, both male and female.

While normally considered an item of casual or functional dress, thebaseball-style cap finds a place at both the upper and lower ends of theprice scale. Additionally, it has gained acceptance not only at work andin the gymnasium, but also in restaurants of varying sophistication.

The proliferation of acceptable venues for wearers of the genericbaseball-style cap means that a wearer may encounter numerousenvironmental situations while wearing one. A number of such “venues”may provide substandard lighting. Such venues may be work related,eating related, exercise related or simply lounging related.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the preceding and other shortcomings ofthe prior art by providing a cap. Such cap includes an upper skullcovering portion having a lower edge. A visor is attached to and extendsfrom the lower edge of the upper skull covering portion.

At least one elongated flashlight of generally-cylindrical shape isprovided, each being capable of projecting a beam. A clip is providedfor selectively securing at least one flashlight to the visor of thecap.

The preceding and other features of the invention will become furtherapparent from the detailed description that follows. Such description isaccompanied by a set of drawing figures. Numerals of the drawings,corresponding to those of the written description, point to the featuresof the invention with like numerals referring to like featuresthroughout both the written description and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are frontal and side elevation views, respectively, of aclip for mounting a flashlight to a baseball-style cap in accordancewith the invention;

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are a series of figures for illustrating theinsertion of a flashlight into a clip in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are side elevation and bottom plan views respectively ofa cap with an above-visor mounted flashlight in accordance theinvention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are side elevation and bottom plan views respectively ofa cap with a below-visor mounted flashlight in accordance with theinvention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a wearer with a cap with visor-mountedflashlights at opposed portions of the peripheral edge of a visor inaccordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A and 1B are frontal and sideelevation views, respectively, of a clip 10 for mounting a flashlight toa baseball-style cap in accordance with the invention. The clip 10,which can come in various sizes in accordance with the size of theflashlight that is mounted to the visor of the cap, is preferably formedof a resilient metal alloy such as stainless steel.

As can be seen, particularly with reference to FIG. 1A, the integralclip 10 comprises two distinct sections. A round region 12 is providedfor holding the generally-cylindrical body of an elongated flashlight.The round region 12 is defined by a semicircular-shaped portion 14 ofthe clip 10. The free edge 16 of the semicircular-shaped portion 14 isfolded slightly outwardly for facilitating the insertion and removal ofa flashlight whereas the opposite edge of the portion 14 is foldedsomewhat greater than ninety degrees in the opposite direction to formthe bottom 18 of a slot region 20 for receiving the visor of a cap. Thebottom 18 joins an upright wall 22 whereby the slot region 20 is definedbetween the innerside of the semicircular-shaped portion 14 and theupright wall 22. As in the case of the free edge 16 of thesemicircular-shaped portion 14, the free edge 24 of the upright wall 22is slightly outwardly-flared to create an enlarged entrance to thepassageway defined by the slot region 20 for facilitating the engagementof the clip 10 and/or clip 10-with-attached flashlight combination to avisor.

The utility of the clip 10 for mounting a flashlight is illustrated inFIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, a series of figures for illustrating the insertionof a flashlight 26 for subsequent mounting to the visor of a cap.Referring first to FIG. 2A, the flashlight 26 is positioned to contactboth the free edge 16 and the inner corner at the bottom 18 of the slotregion 20 as shown. Thereafter an force F is applied (presumably by oneof a user's hands) to the flashlight that is opposed by a resistanceforce F (presumably applied by the user's other hand) as shown in FIG.2B. As can be seen, the application of the forces causes the flashlight26 to slip past the outwardly-folded free edge 16 and thereby begin toenter the interior of the semicircular-shaped portion 14. At the sametime, the free edge 16 of the semicircular-shaped portion 14 isdisplaced outwardly (toward the right). As the clip 10 is of resilientmetallic composition, the displacement does not result in measurabledeformation. Finally, after continuing the application of the forces F,and F, the flashlight 26 is fully inserted as shown in FIG. 2C with thesemicircular-shaped portion 14 substantially returning to its originalshape with the flashlight tightly and securely held therein.

The design of the clip 10 presumes that the flashlight 26 is generallyof elongated cylindrical or barrel-like shape. Examples of commerciallyavailable flashlights of such shape and suitability for use in thepresent invention are those manufactured by Coast Products of PortlandOreg. and available through selected retailers in a variety of sizes andpower. Examples of Coast flashlights that may be employed in a cap withillumination in accordance with the invention include those havingproduct designations G10, G20, G45, HP2, HP3, HP4, PX20 and PX25. Eachof such flashlights utilizes light emitting diode (LED) technology thatoffers modest to intense direct light. While Coast flashlights employingLED technology are suitable for use in the present invention, theinvention is limited neither to LED technology nor to the products ofsuch particular manufacturer. Rather, any flashlight of generallycylindrical shape and size for accommodation by a clip 10 as describedabove may be utilized in and form a part of a cap with illumination inaccordance with the invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are side elevation and lower planar views, respectively,of a cap 28 having a flashlight 26 mounted above a visor 30 inaccordance the invention. The complete cap comprises an upper skullcovering portion 32 that is joined to the visor 30 at its lower edge. Ascan be seen, the clip 10 is held to a side of the visor 30 by insertioninto the slot region 20 (not visible in FIGS. 3A, 3B) that is located atthe opposed side of the bottom 18 which is roughly aligned with aportion of the free peripheral edge 34 of the visor 30. Theoutwardly-folded free edge 16 of the semicircular portion 14 of the clip10 is visible in FIG. 3A and it will be appreciated with reference tothe preceding figures, that, to achieve the configuration of FIG. 3A,the clip 10 is oriented so that the slot region 20 grasps the visor 30with the semicircular portion 14 thereabove. The wall 22, bottom 18 andfolded free edge 24 of the wall 22 can be seen in intimate contact withthe bottom surface of the visor 30 in FIG. 3B. A beam of light 35emitted from the flashlight 26 will project forwardly and aligned withthe field of view of the wearer to illuminate the wearer's view of, forexample, the back of a computer, work on a paper in the patio, or thelike.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are side elevation and bottom plan views of a cap 28with a below-visor 30 mounted flashlight 26 in accordance with theinvention. In this case, the wall 22 and folded free edge 24 that defineone side of the slot 20 lie above the visor 30 with the bottom beingapproximately aligned with a selected portion of the peripheral edge 34of the visor 30. The obverse view of FIG. 4B shows that the folded freeedge 16 of the semicircular portion 14 of the clip 10 lies adjacent thebottom surface of the visor 30, holding the flashlight 26 with apreferred alignment for projection of the beam of light 35 from theflashlight 26.

Comparing the embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B (above-visor mount) withthat of FIGS. 4A and 4B (below visor mount), many factors can contributeto one's preference of one to another. The clip 10 may be of varioussizes for accommodating flashlights of various cross-sectional profiles.Further, the degree of collimation of the light beam emitted may varyfrom flashlight to flashlight. Factors such as these, in addition to thelocation of the “target” for illumination with respect to the field ofview of the wearer, will enter into this choice. As can be appreciated,such choices need not be limited by the design of the clip 10 which canaccommodate either type of mounting with respect to the visor.

In addition to a choice of flashlight mountings (above visor, belowvisor) and flashlight (and clip) sizes, one may mount either one or twoflashlights to opposed portions of the peripheral edge 34 of the visor30. This will reflect the preferences and needs of the wearer. Aperspective view of a cap 28 with elongated flashlights 26, 26′ mountedto opposed sections of the common peripheral edge 34 of the visor 30 isillustrated in FIG. 5. The wearer, for example, may desire to “aim” thetwo flashlights beams 35, 35′ to intersect at some point in advance,thereby boosting illumination at a particular distance.

By utilizing the teachings of the invention, the light emitted from amounted flashlight follows the wearer wherever he looks, leaving hishands free. The invention is easy to use, making it convenient to doalmost anything in dark/low light, including, but not limited to,walking around the house early in the morning or late at night withoutbothering others by turning on and off the lights, looking for missingobjects, working on the car, checking the computer keyboard or when youjust need extra direct light.

By employing a combination of elements in which the clip is separablefrom the flashlight, the wearer can readily remove the flashlight fromthe cap when it is advantageous to hold the flashlight rather than toleave it attached to the cap.

While the invention has been described with reference to its presentlypreferred embodiment, it is not limited thereto. Rather, this inventionis limited only insofar as it is defined by the following set of patentclaims and includes within its scope all equivalents thereof.

1. A cap comprising, in combination: a) an upper skull covering portionhaving a lower edge; b) a visor attached to and extending from saidlower edge of said upper skull covering portion; c) at least oneelongated flashlight of generally-cylindrical shape, each of said atleast one flashlight being capable of projecting a beam; and d) a clipfor selectively securing each of said at least one flashlight to saidvisor of said cap; e) said clip includes a semicircular portion forholding said flashlight adjacent a slot region for engaging said visor;and f) said slot region and said semicircular portion of said clip areside-by-side and share a common portion for positioning said flashlightadjacent a surface of said visor.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. A capas defined in claim 1 wherein said slot region includes anoutwardly-displaced free edge for facilitating engagement to said visor.5. A cap as defined in claim 1 wherein said semicircular portionincludes an outwardly-displaced free edge for facilitating engagement ofsaid flashlight to said clip.
 6. A cap as defined in claim 1 wherein: a)said visor has opposed upper and lower surfaces; b) said clip holds saidflashlight; and c) said clip is selectively engageable to said visor forpositioning said flashlight relative to said visor.
 7. A cap as definedin claim 6 wherein: a) said flashlight is generally longitudinallyelongated between opposed ends; b) said flashlight emits illuminationfrom one end; and c) said clip is selectively engageable to said visorfor positioning said flashlight relative to said visor so that saidlight emitting end is remote and said other end is proximal with respectto said upper skull covering portion of said cap.
 8. A cap as defined inclaim 7 wherein said flashlight is positioned by said clip to overliethe upper surface of said visor.
 9. A cap as defined in claim 7 whereinsaid flashlight is positioned by said clip to lie under the lowersurface of said visor.
 10. A cap as defined in claim 7 furthercharacterized in that: a) said cap includes two flashlights; and b) eachof said flashlights is affixed to an opposed portion of a commonperipheral edge of said visor by an associated clip.
 11. A cap asdefined in claim 1 wherein said at least one flashlight is of the lightemitting diode type.
 12. A cap as defined in claim 1 wherein said clipis of resilient metallic composition.